Archive for July 19th, 2011

The fiscal crisis our country finds itself in is the result of many years of our federal government living beyond its means. Though in recent weeks we have heard much talk about cutting spending and reducing our debt, the past has taught us that the President and Congress will not make the difficult decisions necessary to get our fiscal house in order without a tough budget mechanism in place to force accountability. Washington’s borrows 40 cents of every dollar spent, and I strongly believe a critical part of kicking this reckless habit is passage of a balanced budget amendment (BBA) to the U.S. Constitution. A BBA would turn talk into action by constitutionally binding the President to request and Congress to approve a balanced federal budget each year.

We will soon force a vote on the legislation in the Senate. In recent weeks, I have advocated for a BBA as a fundamental reform required as part of any agreement to raise the debt ceiling. Click here to view a video compilation of my recent remarks on the importance of a BBA.

Harvest Wheat 19th Century Style at Free Mahaffie Event Thursday
Visitors can help harvest wheat 19th Century style at a free event from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 21 at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop, 1200 Kansas City Road. The historic site will be open with free admission offering activities focused on 19th Century farming.

In addition to helping harvest the wheat, visitors can learn about the crops the Mahaffie’s grew and the methods they used. Visitors can make a hook to take home in the blacksmith shop or grind corn to feed the farm animals for a small fee. Visitors also can help saw wood, check out Mrs. Mahaffie’s cook stove, and enjoy 19th Century children’s games. Stagecoach rides around the site also will be available with a suggested donation of $2 per person. (more…)

Operation Lifeline Still Available to Those in Need
With the recent extreme temperatures, the Olathe Police Department would like to remind the public of its Operation Lifeline program. This initiative enlists community volunteers to make daily telephone calls to retired and self-care individuals who don’t have anyone available to check on them regularly. If a volunteer is unable to make telephone contact with a program participant, a police officer is dispatched to the residence to check on the individual.

Individuals who would like to participate in this program must meet the following criteria:

Live within the city limits of Olathe

• Have no family members living in the immediate area to do regular check-ins
• Be able to provide Olathe Police Department access to residence in the event of an emergency.

Operation Lifeline is free of charge. Additional information is available by contacting the Community Outreach Unit at 971-7500.

July 19, 2011
The Leavenworth County Republican Party will host a Town Hall meeting on Thursday evening, July 21, 6:30-8:30 pm. The meeting will be held at Tampico’s Restaurant, 215 Delaware St, Leavenworth, KS. (more…)

Our country is in an ethical free-fall-from Capitol Hill to Wall Street to Main Street. Now is the time to turn things around. We are convinced that you, along with many others, are here “for such a time as this.”

Host a National Webcast.

Opportunity: You and your church can become leaders in a large movement to rebuild America’s ethical foundations. (more…)

KS Elected, Business and Labor Leaders Will Join to Demand the President
Support Kansas Jobs and Stop Attack on Aviation Industry

Topeka - Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and Fourth District Congressman Mike Pompeo will join Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer, Sedgwick County Commissioner Dave Unruh as well as International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, (IAMAW) AFL-CIO, District 70 President Steve Rooney, SPEEA Midwest Director Bob Brewer, and Wichita Chamber Chair Lynn Nichols for a news conference Wednesday, July 20th, at the National Center for Aviation Training in Sedgwick County to demand President Barack Obama support Kansas jobs and stop his attack on the aviation industry. Aviation industry leaders and union members also are expected to attend.

Since the U.S. House of Representatives is in session this week, voting on Cut Cap and Balance and working on ongoing negotiations to our debt ceiling crisis, Congressman Pompeo is unable to physically join tomorrow’s news conference. Instead, the Congressman will be joining via live video stream.

The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. Central Standard Time. It is opened to credentialed members of the media who RSVP to Sherriene Jones-Sontag at media@ks.gov.

(WASHINGTON) – The House passed by a margin of 234-190 H.R. 2560, also known as “Cut, Cap, Balance.” This bill provides President Obama with the debt limit increase that he requested under the following conditions: immediate spending cuts; spending caps to limit future spending growth; and a balanced budget amendment passed by both the House and Senate. Unless these conditions are met, the President’s debt limit is not raised. Next year’s cuts include no changes to Veterans’ spending, Medicare, Social Security, and Defense.

“I am incredibly excited that my colleagues and I passed this consequential bill,” Congressman Huelskamp said. “Today marks the beginning of a new course for Washington in which fiscal responsibility and discipline retake center stage. ‘Cut, Cap, Balance’ is the only plan in Washington that recognizes and reorients the current reality that Washington is broke.”

“As I discussed on the House floor today, this legislation is about promoting fiscal responsibility. It’s not about the next election, it’s about protecting the next generation from reckless spending and borrowing that threatens their access to the American Dream.”

“It is my sincere hope that the Senate will take up this measure immediately; the American people are demanding real solutions. This is the only plan in Washington to restore fiscal responsibility.”

Congressman Tim Huelskamp is a freshman representing the First District of Kansas. He serves on the House Budget, Agriculture, and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, and he is a member of the House Republican Study Committee.

By Kevin Mooney – Unelected extra-constitutional czars are least partly responsible for the moratorium that continues to undermine energy production in the Gulf Coast. That’s why Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) has stepped up to block funding for administrative appointments that escape congressional scrutiny. (more…)

As of July 12, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows continued intensification of drought conditions in much of Kansas. Portions of 11 counties in southwest and south-central Kansas comprising nine percent of the state’s area are rated in exceptional drought, the highest drought intensity. Eight percent of the state is experiencing extreme drought. Another 17 percent of Kansas is experiencing severe drought. Another 14 percent of the state is designated as in moderate drought and 18 percent is abnormally dry. Thirty-four percent of Kansas, along the northern third of the state, is deemed to have normal moisture at this time. (more…)